Hammers join Saints at the top

17 December 2011 05:46

West Ham went level at the top of the npower Championship with leaders Southampton as Papa Bouba Diop got the only goal at home to Barnsley.

Diop put the Hammers ahead after six minutes with a header to put them behind Southampton, who play Portsmouth on Sunday, on goal difference.

Faris Haroun got the late winner as Middlesbrough went above Cardiff into third with a 3-2 win at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The visitors had led through Bart Ogbeche's deflected shot after 15 minutes. A Ben Turner header and Aron Gunnarsson's 44th minute tap-in put the home side in front before Scott McDonald and Faroun netted in the second half to seal the win for Tony Mowbray's men.

Hull also moved above Cardiff into third with a 2-0 home win over Millwall which was sealed by Robert Koren. An own goal by Jack Smith put the Tigers on the way and Robert Koren completed the scoring with 10 minutes to go.

Leeds remain sixth as Reading rose to one place and two points behind them, Simon Church lobbing the only goal over Andy Lonergan with just two minutes on the clock at Elland Road.

Kieran Trippier scored the only goal as Burnley won 1-0 away to Brighton, who had Romain Vincelot and Ashley Barnes sent off inside the opening 12 minutes.

Billy Sharp netted twice in two second-half minutes as Doncaster came from behind to win 2-1 at home to Leicester who had taken the lead in the opening period through David Nugent.

Keith Andrews got the only goal as Ipswich won at home to Derby. The Rams thought they had cleared the header by Andrews but a goal was awarded after referee David Webb consulted his assistant.

Peterborough won 1-0 against strugglers Coventry at London Road. The game between Blackpool and Watford ended scoreless and Bristol City and Nottingham Forest also failed to find the target at Ashton Gate.